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A near-record number of aspiring nurses were accepted onto training courses this year despite falls in applications, suggesting entry requirements have eased, it has emerged.

Figures from the university admissions service Ucas revealed 2017 saw the second highest number of trainees accepted ever - 28,620 - however there was an 18 per cent drop in the applications from 18 and 19-year-olds in England.

The Government promised in October to create an extra 5,000 nursing places, part of a wider drive to cope with soaring patient numbers, however an end to bursaries in favour of student loans have been blamed for deterring people from the profession.

In practice this will mean services already struggling to recruit staff will find it even harderRoyal College of Nursing

While nursing qualifications are overseen centrally to ensure minimum standards, individual colleges and universities are free to set their own entry requirements.

Typically applicants need at least five GCSEs at grade C or above and two A Levels or equivalent.

The latest data shows there was a 13 per cent decline in acceptances to nursing subjects from applicants aged 21 to 25 and a six per cent decline from those aged 26 or above, but that these decreases were offset by in increased acceptances of young applicants.

It suggests that, per applicant, it was easier to get onto a nursing degree this year than in the past.

The Royal College of Nursing said the figures showed the Government is not filling the promised extra places.

Lara Carmona, Associate Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the RCN, said: “These figures show the future supply of nurses remains in peril – we have not seen the increase we need across the UK, despite government promises.

“In practice this will mean services already struggling to recruit staff will find it even harder.

“Ministers said the removal of the student bursary would mean 10,000 more nurses, and promised a 25 per cent increase in training places this year.

Last week it emerged that the NHS is employing international nurses as part of an "earn, learn and return" programme to help plug staffing shortages.

Health officials said they aimed to hire 5,500 nurses from India and the Philippines following an increase in the number of UK graduates abandoning the profession, and a sharp drop in the number of nurses coming to work in Britain from the EU.

The RCN said the loss of the bursary for student nurses was deterring older applicants in particular.

“The prospect of graduating thousands of pounds in debt appears to have deterred more mature students from applying, denying the profession their valuable life experience,” said Ms Carmona.

“Ministers are risking the health of the nation by failing to train enough nurses.”